HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE POLICE: THE NIGERIAN EXPERINCE IN DEMOCRACY (2000-2006) (original) (raw)
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THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE AND VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS 1993-2007
The violations of human rights by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) especially those that involve torture, extra-judicial killings, extortion and other forms of abuses are no longer uncommon. These violations have therefore become Nigeria’s major problem .The protection of the rights of Nigerians which is supposed to be the major concern and objective of the men and women of the NPF is left uncatered for and neglected .For example, deaths while in detention from excessive torture and extortion of money from motorists at Police checkpoints or what this study would term ‘Police business centres’ e.t.c constitute gross violations of human rights .While the whole of this is happening ,the authorities especially governments of the day and the Police high command seem to turn a blind eye. It is in view of this that the study decided to undertake a survey on the NPF and their violations of human rights between 1993-2007.The study therefore attempted a critical appraisal and analysis of human rights abuses by the NPF within the period under review. An attempt is also made to see how the various regimes were able to cope with the challenges of human rights especially in ensuring that Police officers do not continue to violate the rights of Nigerians and how violators of such rights get punished and their victims compensated .In the end, the study contends that there is a clear difference between how military regimes and contemporary democratic dispensations have tackled human rights abuses over the years. Besides , the study suggests the speedy dispensation of all human rights cases before law courts ,the need to improve the training of Police Officers to observe human rights and the improvement of the conditions of service of the NPF amongst many others.
NATIONAL SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND POLICE REFORMS IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC
National security has increasingly become prioritized amongst nation states within the international system. For Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) which is empowered to maintain internal security has been overwhelmed by increasing and varied threats to her national security. This is further complicated by violations of human rights by Police officers and men.
Police brutality and human rights in Nigeria's democracy: Focus on restoration of man's dignity
Revista Brasileira de Gestão Ambiental e Sustentabilidade, 2020
opportunity. In this light, the study recommends that as a security organization in a democracy, the Nigeria police should understand that democracy demands that the human personality in its course of development should be allowed to proceed without artificial forces or barricade so long as it actively does not violate the safety and reasonable right of others. In addition, there should be other far-reaching reforms and reorientations necessary to bring Nigeria's policing operations into conformity with constitutional and international human rights standards.
It is an established fact that modern Nigeria societies are being threatened by waves of uncertainty, galvanised by terrorism, political violence, cries for secession and religious conflicts. All these indicators points towards one direction; the need for efficient policing that will effectively bridge the gap between the public and constituted authorities and equally among people. This tall task may not come to fulfillment if the police in contemporary Nigeria symbolises terror by infringing on the human rights they were established to preserve. To clarify this doubt, this paper seeks to answer the following questions: are human rights infringed upon in recent times by the police? What human rights are mostly violated? And, what is the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of Nigerians and police infringement of rights today.
POLICE BRUTALITY AND VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA -CAUSES AND IMPLICATIONS
Jude Chikadibia Onwunyirimadu, 2022
This research work examines police brutality and violation of human rights in Nigeria causes and its implications. The objectives of the study is to establish some cases of police brutality in Nigeria; to investigate the causes of police brutality and violation of human rights in Nigeria; to ascertain the implications of police brutality in Nigeria and to recommend ways to prevent police violence in Nigeria. To be able to achieve these objectives, four research questions were raised, such as, are there testimonies and evidences of human rights violation in Nigeria by the police? What are the causes of police brutality and violation of human rights in Nigeria? What are the implications of police brutality in Nigeria? How can police brutality and violation of human rights be prevented in Nigeria? The study made use of descriptive analytical method to analyze data gotten from secondary source such as academic journals, Newspaper publications, Television documentaries, Internet, relevant textbooks etc. Albert Bandura Social learning theory was adopted in this research, which explains that police, violates people's right with impunity because they watch as other officers who violate people's rights are not well sanctioned. The research reveals that police brutality in Nigeria has led to loss of lives, torture of detainees and extortion of suspects. Some of the recommendations are; The Nigerian police commission should strictly investigate and sanction erring officers, there should be a proper police reform, men of the Nigerian police should be subjected to a thorough mental examination before engaging them to service etc.
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Security Agencies and Human Right Violations in Nigeria
Journal of Public Administration Studies, 2023
It is no news that Nigeria, which is arguably the giant of Africa, is known for human rights violations. From its years of military authoritarianism which witnessed the killing of several human rights activists, and since the return to democratic rule, the country’s human rights narrative has not changed. Government authorities and law enforcement agents (the police) frequently engage in various human rights violations, notably unlawful killings, torture, ill- treatment of no crime suspects, forced evictions, interference with the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, and violence against women and children are widespread across the country. This has created worrisome threats to lives and government seems to be grappling with the situation, hence there is some measure of friction between the activities of security agencies and human right in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop that pertinent questions are asked on how well security agencies could be operated without infringement on fundamental human rights and what are the probable mechanisms that could be adopted by security agencies without abuse of human rights in Nigeria. Answers to these questions instigated this research work. This study exemplified the extent of human rights abuses in Nigerian democratic governance. It equally highlighted causes and the effects of human rights abuses in Nigeria and made recommendations on how to prevent its occurrences in the future. Secondary sources of data thus become the hub of its methodology. The study adopted system theory by Gabriel Almond as its theoretical framework.
Insecurity: Police Brutality and Human Rights Violation in Nigeria.
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The study examined Insecurity: Police Brutality and Human Rights Violation in Nigeria. Three (3) specific objectives and three (3) research questions were raised to guide the study. The study employed a descriptive survey method. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The total population for the study is three hundred and ninety- six (396) staff of Auchi polytechnic. The entire population was selected for the study. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was adopted to ensure that the entire element (stratum) that constituted the population is represented in the study. The study revealed that Police brutality that violate human rights and lead to insecurity manifest in different forms such as torture to extract confession and information, illegal detention, kick-back or bribery, corruption, intimidation, molestation, rape, extra judicial killings and disobedience of court orders. Poverty, Illiteracy, ignorant, lack of diligent prosecution of violators, ethnic/ religion sentiment and attitude of government in power are the major challenges facing human rights enforcement in Nigeria. The government should be sincere in the fight against corruption and human rights violation by ensuring that some miscreants and unscrupulous elements within the Nigerian Police Force are punish appropriate for crime committed to serve as deterrent to others.
EAS journal of humanities and cultural studies, 2024
The EndSARS protests in Nigeria brought to the forefront issues of police brutality and human rights abuses, prompting calls for government action. This study aimed to assess the level of government commitment in addressing human rights abuses, particularly police brutality, post-EndSARS. The main objective was to ascertain the level of government commitment in addressing human rights abuses, with specific objectives including assessing the effect of government policies post-EndSARS, examining the correlation between lawenforcement changes and institutional reforms, analyzing government commitments post-EndSARS in relation to substantive reforms, and investigating the link between government actions on police brutality and citizen perceptions of responsiveness. The study utilized a survey method, incorporating both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were collected through questionnaires utilizing a 4-point Likert scale, with a sample size of 381 respondents in Owerri, Imo state. Descriptive statistics, particularly means and standard deviation, were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed varying perceptions regarding the effectiveness of government policies post-EndSARS in addressing police brutality and safeguarding human rights in Nigeria. While some acknowledged positive progress, skepticism remained about the overall effectiveness of these policies. Law-enforcement changes post-EndSARS did not lead to increased transparency and accountability, nor did they align with international standards. Government commitments post-EndSARS were met with skepticism, indicating a need for more decisive action and communication. Moreover, there was no significant consensus regarding the link between government actions on police brutality and citizen perceptions of responsiveness. Based on the findings, recommendations include strengthening mechanisms for implementing and monitoring government policies, prioritizing institutional reforms within law enforcement agencies, demonstrating strong commitment to substantive reforms, and enhancing citizen engagement and communication. Overall, the study underscores the complexities of addressing police brutality and human rights abuses in Nigeria post-EndSARS and highlights the need for sustained government action and citizen involvement in reform efforts.